I thank the Minister of State for attending. I raise this issue in the light of numerous media reports concerning a shortage of hospital beds in Cork city. One accident and emergency unit was closed in recent weeks in one of the main city hospitals and patients had to be sent to alternative accommodation.
There seems to be a critical shortage of hospital beds in the Cork city area, which has led to growing concerns that health services are failing the people of Cork. Why, when we read in newspapers that Ireland has the fastest growing economy in Europe, do we also read frightening stories about the main accident and emergency unit in Cork city being closed to further admissions because it is full to capacity?
The reason for this, seemingly, is because not enough beds are available in the hospital to accommodate casualty admissions. Patients recovering from heart attacks, strokes or surgery are put on trolleys in corridors, or else returned to their family doctors, because of a critical shortage of hospital beds. Extremely ill people — general medical cases or cardiac patients — have been known to lie for hours in casualty or wait for days before a bed can be found.
In recent weeks the problem has reached crisis level. Is the Minister for Health and Children aware of this and, if so, what is he doing to address this serious problem? Does he recognise the additional stress and trauma this places both on patients and their families at an already stressful time?
When people become ill suddenly they need to be reassured that the State will provide adequate services for them. They should not be treated in a dismissive fashion and told they must find another hospital because there is no room.
Family doctors are also coming under extreme pressure in this situation in trying to find beds for their patients. These doctors are frustrated and angry with the situation as they find it. They have to reassure patients and their families while at the same time trying to gain admission to hospital for their patients. They must spend hours on the 'phone locating beds for their patients. In many cases they must choose between keeping patients at home under their care or having them face the discomfort of a hospital trolley.
This situation is unsatisfactory and it is placing much pressure on family doctors to take decisions they may not feel qualified to make. The manager of one hospital said many beds there tend to be taken up by elderly people awaiting discharge to geriatric units or nursing homes. The VHI's announcement that it intends to cut benefits for care in homes will only contribute to this situation.
I would like the Minister of State to address the seriousness of the situation that seems to have been compounded in Cork in recent weeks. He should also address the stress and trauma this is placing on patients who are already in a stressful situation.